For whatever reason, I seem to be in a reminiscing mood today, and I ended up replaying the last scene of my 'live'.
That's right, despite the fact that my soul was supposed to be destroyed I had ended up being reincarnated into my ideal world.
I only truly learned of this fact on my 17th birthday. Before that, some of my memories did return but only the form of flashes or dreams that I assume was the work of my imagination.
Excluding experience and my sixth sense, there aren't any other after effect of my reincarnation. So the main question is why did my brain suddenly bring up all of those things?
"Eto...Akaba-san?"
That snapped me out of my flashback sequence and straight back into the real world.
"Sorry. Looks like I dozed off."
She merely smiled at my obvious excuse.
"Not at all! It looked like you were deep in thought about something important."
While the slogan customers are always right to have taken deep roots into the society even kindness should have its limit don't you think? But then again this is one of the reasons I fell for you.....
"Anyway here's your coffee!" Just like every other day she enthusiastically handed my order. Coffee contained within a small cup (fortunately this place doesn't go with that Italian bull) polyester coated plastic.
But more importantly, is the way she delivered it.
A friendly attitude, an upbeat tone, and of course a sincere smile that really came from the bottom of one's heart.
Damn it girl can't you cut on the cuteness a bit? It's taking me everything I got not to propose on the spot.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
I quickly took a sip of the drink to halt the conversation. Who knows what kind of confession I might spat if we were to continue talking.
The taste that assaulted my tongue was familiar, bitter with the slightest tinge of sweetness.
"It's perfect," I commented, and to my hidden joy, she flashed another smile.
"You said that to every coffee I serve. And you never bother to order anything else."
I half ignore her verbal jab (though more than happy to receive it just like everything else she gave me) and took another sip. After the hot beverage made its way through my throat and into my stomach I began.
"Couldn't help it, it's my favourite."
She gave me a toothy grin before replying, something I'll take any day of the week.
It's not that I'm a coffee enthusiast, truth is the only thing I have ever purchased from this coffee shop is only this brew of caffeine and on some occasions a cookie or a slice of cake if it's a festive season.
I pick this coffee because of its cost, a bit expensive but not to the level of wallet-draining. By purchasing this cup of joe every morning I reminded myself that my condition is on a level of financial stability where I am allowed to make an extra expenditure.
As for the reason I pick this establishment as my daily provider of caffeine.... was due to a motive of my own obviously.
The moment I caught a glimpse of her figure I could do nothing but walk in.
That short neatly styled silver hair, those orange eyes so full of life, the burst of joy behind each and every of her movement.
Yup, I'm definitely in a one-sided love with this girl.
For the past six months, I have been visiting this coffee shop for the two reasons for getting coffee and interact with her.
It worked out great as we now refer to one another on a friendly basis.
It also failed miserably because we refer to one another on a 'friendly' basis.
That failure is obviously caused by my lack of preemption and apparent interest in the 'next stage'.
However, everything will change today...
"Thanks for the coffee, I better go now or else I'll be late."
"Ah right! Have a nice day then!"
"You too." was all I said as I exited through the front door.
.....
...
...
'WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!!!!!!'
ISN'T THIS THE DAY WHERE EVERYTHING WOULD CHANGE!? WHY DIDN'T YOU DO IT YOU @$#!$# WUSS!?
Falling to my hand (the other is still holding the coffee) and knees I could do nothing but berate myself for my cowardice, and to make matter worse this isn't the first time I chickened out. I've been trying to tell her my feelings for the past six months.
Needless to say, my previous attempt ended exactly like this one.
I let out a tired sigh knowing that there is nothing else I could do but to try again tomorrow.....
Though I'll probably end up like this again.
"GAH!" This time I voiced out the frustration within me, startling some of the nearby bystanders.
What? You've never seen a man driven mad by his own inner turmoil?
Without much of a choice, I dragged myself onwards to my office, it isn't much else I can do right now and feel disappointed about myself is not an actual excuse to skip work.
I took another sip of my coffee hoping that this day wouldn't be a long one.
"KYAAAA!"
Well shit, I spoke too soon.
The shout originated from a convenience store a few meters in front of me, a mob of workers and school kids converging on the store's front but not entering.
I can already guess what's happening.
"HE'S GOT A KNIFE!"
"SOMEBODY CALL THE POLICE!"
"CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
Though it's better to be safe than sorry that last one sounded like a bad omen don't you think?
It was probably a robbery went wrong that turned to a hostage situation, though public safety and healthcare here are much better than in my previous world (despite mine possessing magic which is really sad) this kind of setting would still happen every now and then.
Since the law enforcement here are both well trained and equipped for this scenario it was only a matter of time before the culprit is taken down and later detained.
As I arrived at the scene of commotion my expectation was lowered considerably.
A skinny middle-aged man wearing a black hoodie and worn-out jeans holding a kitchen knife, that was the identity of the culprit. I couldn't get a good look on his face because of the hood but from his jagged breath and trembling form, it was obvious that he was doing this out of desperation.
Normally one would be drawn into the scene for reason that shouldn't be stated, but because of my bad mood and mentality, I decided that the best thing to do is to simply walk away.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?"
Due to the sudden declaration, I have no choice but to stop. I desperately hope that the one he was addressing wasn't me.....
"YOU! THE ONE WITH THE COFFEE!"
Fuck.....
The people quickly distanced themselves from me, now identifying my presence as an indirect hazard. I couldn't blame them for the sudden alienization and merely let out a tired sigh as I come face to face with the assailant.
"Y-YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME DON'T YOU!?"
Depends. Financially and mentally speaking it was obvious that I am, and after getting a good look at your face I can say that the same goes for my physical condition.
"SAY SOMETHING DAMN IT! ARE-ARE YOU SCARED OR SOMETHING!?"
'Well duh' is what I wanted to say but didn't, knowing that my answer will only rile you up even more. Though honestly speaking you'd probably interpret anything that comes out of my mouth as a mockery of the sort.
And as for the second I'm not.
Assassins, master swordsmen, fighters, dragons, and demons. I have faced being that could kill humans or anything else in general with a single glance. So a junkie with a pointy house appliances registers as nothing more than a nuisance in my radar.
Getting peeved even more I decided to get this over with as fast as possible.
To everyone's surprise, instead of bolting away or react with fear I strode towards the criminal, he took a step back in astonishment further cementing the fact that my approach was the correct course of action.
With coffee in my left hand, I took a stance and stretched out my free arm, my right side now facing the soon to be a hospital patient.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he a martial artist?"
"Seems like it...."
The whispers served as a fuel to the assailant's worries and fear, trying to establish that he was in control of the situation he spat out a threat.
"Y-YOU WANT TO F@$%$#@ DIE!?"
I don't and I won't
I gave no reply and glared at him, obviously, the silent threat was enough to convey my message as he took another step back this time in fear.
I'm not backing down. Are you?
"Y-You... AHHHHHHH!" Trying to hide his fear he let out a cry and rushed at me in a lunging motion.
One of the bystanders (probably a high school girl) let out a high pitched scream, others shout out commands like 'Run!' or 'Getaway!'. To them, this man with a knife was probably the real scariest thing they have ever seen.
But to me, he looked like a cornered rat desperately trying to get away after committing a crime.
Obviously, I won't let him do that.
As mentioned my memories and knowledge only fully returned a few years ago, however, I ended up receiving almost no noticeable change physically or mentally.
The reason for the latter was because the personality and attitude of the previous me and the current me was practically the same. Whether this is the aftereffect of the reincarnation or simply because I am me remains a mystery.
My physique, on the other hand, remained unchanged and since reincarnation is a soul centric process I knew that it's only natural. To be frank I didn't actually receive anything grand out of it except the never-ending gratitude of having my true wish fulfilled and eternal gladness on how things are in this 'modern' world.
Then there's my awareness.
Supposedly speaking that wasn't something connected to the spirit in any way, but the sixth sense wasn't something purely physical either. regardless of whatever it actually was, I found out that my danger sense has been honed to the maximum, and that I am capable of detecting danger up to a certain extent.
But my body couldn't keep up. More than one time did I found myself in a situation where a bad thing is about to happen but was unable to avoid it.
One time I knew that the school gardener's broken hose wasn't actually broken but could only turn my head slightly as the torrent of water hits. Another time I realize that there was another person running at the other end of the corner but wasn't fast enough to stop my dash (and no it wasn't a girl).
Due to my own annoyance, I then decided to train myself so that I can avoid those kinds of situation, knowingly that by doing so I would also be maintaining and increasing my lifespan.
The result is this.
I easily sidestepped the attack but by doing so I, unfortunately, spilt some of my coffee. Now no longer in danger, I quickly grabbed his right and applied pressure.
"GUAH!" The thug scream in pain as the blood flow to his arm was cut off, and as expected he dropped his knife which I hastily kicked away ( better safe than sorry).
As the scale further tips into my favour I applied more pressure, the following pain was enough to drive the thug helplessly to the ground and on his knees.
Somewhat ironic for me since I considered proposing today but that was beside the point.
Time to end it all then.
I deliberately let go. Though he was shocked at first he managed to regain some of his composure and retreated.
This right here is the climax.
He stared at me with newfound fear, having lost both the control of the situation and the means to control it. He could try and charge in again and this time I would retaliate with actual force, or he can stay down and wait until authority arrives.
Either way, he already lost.
I continued to look down on him (literally since I stood up straight and he was slouched) with a blank expression, waiting for him to make his choice and for me to react.
Now how do you want this to go down?
".....Hu....."
I said nothing as he finally breakdown crying, kissing the concrete ground with his forehead whilst hiding his face from the populace. A sad sight but he brought this on himself.
Not long after he starts crying a pair of cops finally arrives, the first one quickly and loudly ordered the people to leave while the second apprehend the offender and usher him into the back of their police cruiser.
As a considerable number of individuals left, the first officer approached me.
"A-Ano were you the one who took him down?"
I politely nodded. "Yeah, sorry for stealing your job."
"N-Not at all! I'm just glad that no one was hurt!" he apologized back "B-By the way thank you very much!" he suddenly bowed.
I suddenly sweatdropped at his sheer devotion and earnestness. Clearly, this officer was someone who joined the force to serve and protect.
"No-no, I'm just well trained that's all."
"Oh is that so... Oh right! sorry to bother you but can you sir please stay for questioning? I'll try and make it quick."
"Of course. You're just doing your job after all...."
"Yes, I apologize. the last thing I want is to hold you up."
Now you just have to pick that word, don't you.
The question was quick and once I was done I resumed my trek towards my office.